A single protein from a worm parasite may one day offer new therapeutic options for treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (pictured), which avoid the potentially serious side effects of current immunosuppressant medications. The study, published recently in Nature Communications (A structurally distinct TGF-β mimic from an intestinal helminth parasite potently induces regulatory T cells), demonstrates the discovery of a distinct new worm protein that mimics the human cytokine transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β).
The newly-discovered protein switches off inflammation by inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs), the body’s own means of dampening excessive reactivity. The ‘Hygiene Hypothesis’ suggests that some microorganisms and parasites may provide protection from an over-reactive immune system, which can cause allergy and other disorders. Harnessing this route of immune regulation potentially is a much safer option than currently available medications can offer.
Dr Danielle Smyth (Research Associate in Parasitology at the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow) said: “Discovering a new protein that can potently induce regulatory T cells from human cells is unexpected and very exciting in terms of finding a new potential biologic for inflammation conditions.”
